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Weekly Comment |
Misadventure in the Caucasus
It is obscure as to what
Georgian President, Mikhail
Shakashvili hoped to attain in
the sudden foray into South
Ossetia. It was obvious that
those that were affected would
not be unaware of his sweeping
venture. It was beyond doubt
that his assault on the region
would not be dismissed as
irrelevant or ignored as
non-significant. It was also
clear that, realistically, he
did not have a chance of even
testing the might of the enemy
he knew would respond in a
disproportionate and multiplied
proportion.
On more than a few occasions
relatively small and scrawny
nations as well as healthy
developing nations have been
used as pawns by mightier
nations operating in the broader
picture with numerous sinister
agendas and intentions that lay
beyond the horizon of the
commonly known and told tales
known to the ordinary man in the
streets of the world.
The question to ask here is
whether Shaakashvili was a
willing participant in the
manipulation of his actions.
Additionally, who was truly
shaping his mind and why.
Political analysts have claimed
that it was a simple case of the
West pulling the strings to test
how far Russia can be pushed.
Some have claimed that it was a
carefully thought out plan that
would draw a response from
Russia and this response could
then be used to thwart the
Russians for being over
re-active in their retort or
excessive in the force employed
by them. Some may suggest that
it was meant to assess Georgia’s
loyalty and faithfulness to its
Western allies.
The truth is far from known and
may probably never come to light
for a long while.
What is clear is that Georgia
would never have acted unless it
was prompted to do so by some
unknown motive, some sinister
force or some devilish power
coupled with the belief that
those pushing them from the back
would provide them some
protection and make it worth
their while. Whatever the case,
it seems that Shaakashvili was
not wise enough to see that he
had everything to lose and
nothing to gain by allowing
himself to be the putty in the
hands of his supposed friends. |
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Q and A |
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Question: If
charity is given to an
organisation, registered
as a tax-exempt public
benefit organization, is
it permissible to claim
the tax back on these
amounts from the
Receiver of Revenue?
Does this act in any way
reduce my benefit of the
charity in the eyes of
Allah? |
Answer:
One will be entitled to
a tax rebate, in the
form of a tax reduction,
due to charity
discharged by him to a
public benefit
organization. However,
it should be borne in
mind that charity should
not be discharged with
the intention of being
entitled to such a
benefit. If this
rewarding act is carried
out with this in mind,
it will be bereft of
sincerity and
spirituality. (Al-Ashbah
139/1)
In the case of Zakaat,
the permissibility of
claiming the tax benefit
will be in its place.
However, it will be
unethical to claim the
tax deduction purely
because the Ibaadah has
been used as a pretext
to gain worldly benefit.
And Allâh Ta’âla Knows
Best.
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C O N T E N T
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Summarised
Jumuah Bayaan |
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Question and
Answer |
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Update |
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Message from the Ameer |
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I N F O R M A
T I O N |
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Min. Mahr |
R 132.42 |
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Mahr Faatimi |
R 6,621.24 |
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Zakaat Nisaab |
R 2,648.50 |
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Words of Wisdom |
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Hadith of the Week |
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Meritorious Deeds |
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Narrated Mu'adh ibn Jabal
Radhi-Allahu anhu: “I heard
Allah's Messenger Sallallahu
‘alayhi wasallam saying: ‘He
who would meet Allah (in the
state) that he has not
associated anything with
Him, he has offered five
(daily prayers), and
observed the fast of Ramadan
he will be pardoned.’ I
said: “Allah's Messenger,
Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam,
should I not convey this
happy news to them (to the
Muslims)’? He said: ‘Let
them go on doing good
deeds.’”
(Tirmidhi)
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Quotation for the Week |
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Wish Good |
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Anything that you don't like
for yourself, never wish it
for others.
(Luqmaan Alayhis
Salaam)
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Point of Reflection |
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Legacy |
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An elephant dies leaves its
tusk, a tiger dies leaves
its stripes, a person dies
leaves his/her name.
(Indonesian Proverb)
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U P D A T E |
Jamiat Appeal for Funds
The Jamiatul ‘Ulama, South
Africa - the oldest ‘ulama
organization of South Africa -
has been serving the community
for the past 84 years. It has 7
provincial branches.
The Jamiatul Ulama has various
departments such as education,
relief, hilaal notification,
halaal supervision, social
welfare, da’wah, ifta and
counseling. It also responds to
local and international crises.
The Jamiatul Ulama ensures that
all zakaat monies are spent in
accordance with the laws of
shariah. All of our activities
are made possible by your
continuous generous
contributions.
We appeal, in this blessed month
of Ramadaan, for donations
towards the activities of the
Jamiat. You will, insha Allah,
share in the reward of all the
activities.
Kindly deposit your
contributions in to the
following account: Jamiatul
Ulama Transvaal, Nedbank
Fordsburg, A/c No. 1953 285 937;
Branch code: 195305, and fax
your deposit slip to (011) 373
8022, clearly stating whether
the contributions are Lillah or
Zakaat.
Darul Ulum Zakariyya End of Year
Jalsah
The 18th Graduation Jalsa of
Darul Ulum Zakariyya will start
from Friday night 15 August 2008
with a Qiraa’ah Jalsah
(Completion of Sab‘ah and ‘Asharah
Qaaris).
On Saturday, 16 August the
proceedings of the Jalsa shall
continue with the Completion of
Bukhari after Asr Salah (Jamaat:
16h30).
Contact the Darul Uloom on 011
859 1912 or 1089 for further
details, insha-Allah.
Huffâz Seminar
The Jamiatul Ulama invites all
huffâz and all those memorizing
the Noble Qur‘an to attend a
seminar on Sunday 17 August 2008
from 10:30am until 12:30pm at
Mayfair Jumuah Masjid (Hanover
Road). The focus of the seminar
shall be the status and role of
a hafiz and conduct of Tarawih
Salah among others issues.
Zakaah Workshop
The Jamiatul Ulama and Masjidul
Khair (St. Gothard Street,
Mayfair West) will host a Zakaah
Workshop on Wednesday 20 August
2008 after Esha Salaah (Jamaat:
7:30pm).
At the workshop, participants
will interact with Ulama to
learn how to calculate Zakaah
among other aspects of this
important pillar of Islam. Notes
and Zakaah Calculation tables
will be provided, insha-Allah.
International Youth Day
The presidency and the National
Youth Convention observed the
International Youth Day on
Tuesday 12 August 2008 under the
theme Youth Dialogue for a
Better Future at the Union
Buildings in Pretoria. The
Jamiatul Ulama was represented
at the event where networking
was recognised as a lacking
aspect among the youth
structures around the world in
dealing with modern day
challenges such as drug abuse. |
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Summarised Jumu’ah
Bayaan:
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The 15th of
Sha’bân: Night of
Bara’ah [Emancipation] |
“And march forth in the
way (which leads to)
forgiveness from your
Lord, and for Paradise
as wide as are the
heavens and the earth,
prepared for the pious.”
(3:133)
“Verily, Allah forgives
not that partners should
be set up with him in
worship, but He forgives
except that (anything
else) to whom He
pleases, and whoever
sets up partners with
Allah in worship, he has
indeed invented a
tremendous sin.” (4:48)
• Allah Ta’ala has
afforded His bondsmen
certain selected
opportunities whereby
they may reap His
infinite mercy and
forgiveness. Some
examples of these
occasions are the month
of Ramadan and Laylatul
Qadr. The night of the
fifteenth of Sha’ban is
one such opportunity.
• Several ahadith
expound the tremendous
merit of this occasion.
Amongst them is the fact
that countless people
are forgiven by Allah
Ta’ala during this
blessed night. It is due
to this reason that it
is called ‘The Night of
Bara'ah’ (i.e. the night
wherein judgment of
salvation from Jahannam
[Hell] is passed).
• Certain ahadith prove
that it is a meritorious
night in which the
people of the earth are
attended by special
divine mercy.
• Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam said,
‘This is the night of
the half of Sha’ban.
Allah Ta’ala looks upon
His slaves in this night
and forgives those who
seek forgiveness and
bestows His mercy upon
those who pray for mercy
but leaves those who
have malice (against a
Muslim) as they were
before, (and does not
forgive them unless they
free themselves from
malice).’(Bayhaqi)
• Aisha radiyallahu anha
has reported Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam to have said,
‘This is the middle
Night of Sha'ban. Allah
emancipates in it a
large number of the
people from the Fire,
more than the number of
the hair growing on the
sheep of the tribe of
Kalb. But He does not
cast a glance at a
person who associates
partners with Him, or at
a person who harbours
malice in his heart
(against someone), or at
a person who severs
family ties, or at a man
who leaves his clothes
extending below his
ankles, or at a person
who disobeys his
parents, or at a person
who has a habit of
drinking wine.’ (Bayhaqi)
The tribe of Kalb were a
large tribe, the members
of which owned many
sheep. Therefore, the
last sentence of the
hadith indicates the
large number of people
forgiven on this night
by Allah Ta’aala.
• The virtue of this
night established from
these ahadith is that
from the very beginning
of the night Allah
Ta’ala turns with
special mercy and
attention towards the
creation and forgives
those who repent and
seeks forgiveness. Every
Muslim should therefore
value this night. Turn
towards Allah Ta’ala
with sincere regret and
shame over sins
committed and make a
promise never to return
to sin again and seek
forgiveness from Allah
Ta'ala. Seek forgiveness
for oneself and all
Muslims, living and
deceased. Have firm hope
and resolution in the
heart that Allah Ta’ala
will surely show mercy
and forgiveness.
• What should be
done on this night?
In order to obtain
maximum benefit from
this auspicious night,
one should allocate a
specific portion of the
night for solitude and
close communion with
Allah Ta’ala. Fervent
du‘a and repentance
should be priority and
make the sole intention
of seeking Allah’s
pleasure and reformation
of the inner self. Other
observances that may be
practiced are:
1. Salah:
Salah is one the most
preferable acts to be
performed during this
night. There is no
particular number of
Raka'ats, but preferably
it should not be less
than eight. It is also
advisable that each part
of the Salah like qiyam
(standing), ruku' and
sajdah should be longer
than normal. Also try
and recite as much qirat
(Qur’an recitation) in
salah as possible.
2. Tilawah:
The recitation of the
Noble Qur’an is another
form of worship that is
very beneficial on this
night. After performing
Salah, or at any other
time, one should recite
as much of the Holy
Noble Qur’an as
possible.
3. Zikr:
Engage ones heart in the
remembrance of Allah
Ta’ala. One should also
recite abundant
salutations upon
Rasulullah sallallahu
alayhi wasallam. Zikr
can also be recited
while walking, lying on
bed and during other
hours of work or
leisure.
4. Du‘a:
The best
benefit one can draw
from the blessings of
this night is prayers
and supplications. Du’a
(supplication) itself is
a form of worship, and
Allâh Ta’âla grants a
reward for each prayer
along with the
fulfilment of the
supplicator’s need. Even
if the purpose prayed
for is not achieved, one
cannot be deprived of
the reward of the
prayer, which is,
sometimes more precious
than the mundane
benefits one strives
for. The prayers and
supplications also
strengthen one’s
relation with Allah
Ta’ala, which is the
main purpose of all
kinds and forms of
worship.
• Women during
menstruation who cannot
perform Salah, nor
recite the Qur’an,
should engage in
reciting any form of
Zikr, tasbeeh, durud and
also, they can ask of
Allah for any of their
needs in whatever
language they wish. They
can also recite the
Arabic prayers mentioned
in the Qur’an or in the
Hadîth with the
intention of du’a
(supplication, and not
with the intention of
reciting a verse of the
Noble Qur’an)
• On the day immediately
following the Night of
Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th
of Sha'ban, it is
mustahab (advisable) to
keep fast. Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam is reported to
have recommended this
fast emphatically.
Although the scholars of
hadith have some doubts
in the authenticity of
this report, yet it is
mentioned that the fasts
of the first half of
Sha'ban have special
merits and Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi
wasallam used to fast
most of the days in
Sha’ban. Moreover, a
large number of the
elders (salaf) of the
Ummah have been
observing the fast of
the 15th of Sha'ban.
This constant practice
indicates that they have
accepted the relevant
hadith as authentic.
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Message from the Ameer of
the Jamiatul Ulama |
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The Haafiz of the
Qur’an |
Ramadan is the month wherein
the Muslim community engages
in the important ibaadah of
fasting or sawm. It is also
the month wherein taraweeh
salah is performed each
night. During the course of
the taraweeh the Qur’an is
recited in its entirety by
those who have memorized the
Qur’an – the huffaaz.
People often speak about
many huffaaz in our
communities as Ramadan
Huffaaz - such huffaaz who
do not focus strongly on the
revision of their
memorization during the
entire year but then work
hard on it during Ramadan,
to be able to recite it in
the taraweeh salah. This
reflection is made by
observers in a negative
light and is levelled as a
criticism against the
respective huffaaz. While it
is of utmost importance to
maintain a regular programme
of tilaawah and also
revision of the
memorization, maybe it would
be more constructive to look
at things in a positive
light. The huffaaz should be
commended for the tremendous
effort they make to prepare
for their recitation of the
Qur’an in the taraweeh salah.
They should be pushed to
recite more Qur’an in
Ramadan and also learn the
sections allocated them as
best they can. They should
be persuaded to strive hard
in their efforts relating to
the recitation and
memorization of the Qur’an,
especially in Ramadan. After
all, Ramadan is the month of
the Qur’an.
At the same time the huffaaz
should then be advised to
maintain a programme for the
entire year. Teachers of the
Qur’an often say that it
easy to become a hafiz, the
real test is in remaining a
hafiz. Hufaaz should
therefore be advised, with
wisdom, to structure
programmes for the
continuous and regular
revision of the Qur’an.
Huffaaz should also be
advised that the Qur’an they
have memorized is a trust
and they should never allow
this trust to slip away from
them.
In the same way the
responsibility of the noble
position of hafiz is also a
trust. It is a trust that
requires a person to make
every effort to understand,
practice, teach and preach
the Qur’an; a trust that
demands of the hafiz that he
becomes an example; a trust
that calls upon him to be a
leader not only in salah but
also in all aspects of life.
The position of the hafiz is
most high and his
responsibilities are also
many.
May Allah accept the huffaaz
of our communities, may He
accept our children to
become huffaaz and may He
grant us and them the
guidance, desire and
inclination to become such
knowledgeable persons of the
Qur’an who act upon the
Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Aameen.
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